Hiring UI Retiree Or SURS Annuitant

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Instructions for Submitting a Proposal for Re-Employment of a SURS Employer Retiree

In compliance with the Return to Work legislation (Public Act 97-0968; HB4996), a new Retiree Rehire procedure has been established for all University of Illinois retirees and all other State University Retirement System annuitants. Requests should be submitted using the electronic “Proposal for Re-Employment of a SURS Employer Retiree” form accompanied by a completed and signed “Statement of SURS Annuity Status” form, and position-specific documentation as indicated below. Transactions to hire or reappoint SURS Employer Retires must have an approved “Proposal for Re-Employment of a SURS Employer Retiree” and “Statement of SURS Annuity Status” attached to the HRFE transaction in order to be applied.

Status Civil Service Appointments

Status Civil Service appointments are exempt from the provisions of the Return to Work Act if the employer of that annuitant provides documentation to SURS that the annuitant is employed in a status appointment position, as that term is defined in 80 Ill. Adm. Code 250.80. Due to obligations contained under the State Universities Civil Service Act, the employer does not have the ability to limit the earnings or duration of employment for the annuitant while employed in the status appointment position. Units hiring retirees into status civil service positions must still complete the electronic “Proposal for Re-Employment of a SURS Employer Retiree” and the “Statement of SURS Annuity Status” each year (9/1/xx-8/31/xx).

Please note that the annuitant is still responsible for monitoring and abiding by their annual or monthly earnings limitation as determined by SURS (which is not the same as the 40% of highest annual rate of earnings limit as used for the “Return to Work” legislation). Exceeding the SURS personal earnings limitation may result in a loss in, or reduction of, annuity payments. The University is not responsible for any reduction in annuity caused by exceeding their personal earnings limitation.

All appointments or reappointments of SURS Employer Retirees will require PRIOR APPROVAL by the designated campus authority. Some will also require PRIOR APPROVAL of the Board of Trustees.

These contacts can also answer questions about completing the form if you need assistance.

If approved, attach “Proposal for Re-Employment of a SURS Employer Retiree” and “Statement of SURS Annuity Status” to the HRFE Transaction to re-employ or reappoint the individual, along with any related documentation otherwise associated with the transaction. The Board will be notified of these appointments in writing near the time of each regular Board meeting, and such appointments will have specified end dates, except permanent Civil Service positions.

Employment of SURS annuitants beyond the circumstances noted above, even of SURS retiree candidates selected for University jobs at competitive salaries through open and competitive search processes, will require BOTH campus level review and approval (as completed and submitted for review above) AND prior approval by the Board of Trustees via an agenda item titled: “ Policy on Employment of University of Illinois Retirees and Employment of Other State Universities Retirement System Annuitants.”

Before submitting a Proposal for Re-Employment of a SURS Employer Retiree, please review the limitations, responsibilities, costs and penalties associated with re-employing a SURS annuitant. All costs and penalties are the responsibility of the employing unit.